OPERATION TRIBUTE

Mission:
Our mission is to pay tribute to the children of military families for the bravery and sacrifice that they exhibit every day. Operation Tribute acknowledges the sacrifices being made by the children of all military families living in New England, New York and New Jersey including the Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, Army, Navy , Air Force and Marines by offering them a gift during the most special time of the year - the holidays. Results:
In 2009, Operation Tribute distributed over 25,000 gifts throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. No child that registered for the program was refused a gift. Target demographics:
Children of military families living in New England, New York or New Jersey. Direct beneficiaries per year:
Over 25,000 Geographic areas served:
New England, New York and New Jersey Programs:
Operation Tribute acknowledges the sacrifices being made by the children of all military families living in New England, New York and New Jersey including the Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, Army, Navy , Air Force and Marines by offering them a holiday gift. At the request of a member of a military family, Operation Tribute will provide an age and gender-appropriate gift to each child registered ranging from newborn to age 16.
Although our goal is to provide each child a holiday gift, they will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and requests will be filled based upon the amount of funding that is raised in each state. The holiday gift provided will be a top-quality product from a major manufacturer (Mattel, Hasbro, Matchbox, etc.).

Since I began with this organization, I have watched it grow from just a state organization to a regional organization. Channel six, an affiliate of NBC, has honored the founder, Marc Badeau, as a 2010/2011 NBC “6 Who Care Award” Recipient. The Governor has honored this organization by giving it the 2011 Maine Governor’s Award as Maine’s Outstanding Non-Profit and Vermont has just nominated this group for their Outstanding Non Profit. This year over 32,000 Christmas presents were given to children of military personnel in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of Western New York. Every year this group grows and grows and will soon become nationwide with your help.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I was involved with Operation Tribute for a few years now. I have been more involved with the fundraising end with the Knights of Columbus. The program is first rate in that it is not a needs based program but a tribute to the unsung heroes of the military services, the children. The anxiety that the children have is just as real as the adults but they seem to be overlooked. This program brings them to the front line so to speak and recognizes them for their sacrifice of their parents. I currently sit on the board for the State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus and I am very proud to be a part of this organization.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

This organization is truly amazing. I have worked with them as a volunteer for several years and it is obvious that those involved genuinely care and work their hardest to better the lives of those whose family members are in the service. The amount of money raised is impressive and the organization can truly make a big difference.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Operation Tribute is one of the most meaningful organizations that I have ever seen. The organization provides a christmas gift to children of militaries families. The gift to is show our appreciation for their bravery and show them that we are proud of them and proud of their Father of Mother who is serving their country. We need more organizations like Operation Tribute in the world.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

In my first year in Key Club, I was extremely pleased with Operation Tribute. So much effort and caring goes into the process of giving each gift. I was able to help in this process, and was welcomed warmly (even though my gift wrapping skills were questionable!) I look forward to volunteering again next year, as the organization is something I would like to be a part of long after my high school career.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

As the President of the Gorham High School Key Club, I have seen over the past three years this organization grow and evolve to remarkable heights. It could not be run by better people and could not service a more touching cause. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who devote their time to this program. I will miss working on this project as I enter into college next year, but will be sure to make it back at some point to support the cause.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I became involved with Marc Badeau in 2007 when he launched Operation Holiday Cheer (OHC), a program designed to provide a holiday gift to each child of Maine's military families that desired to participate. The premise was elegantly simple, regardless of one's beliefs about the war, the children of Maine's military familes deserved a show of support and appreciation for their sacrifice as children of military members who were deployed or facing deployment. In that first year, 8,000 gifts were distributed to over 140 cities and towns in Maine with a personal letter addressed to the child. Renamed, Operation Tribute, the program now recognizes the children of those serving, regarless of service or component and has expanded from Maine to include all of New England, New York and New Jersey. Not suprisingly, expansion over the entire Eastern seabord is the next step. I was so impressed by the purpose, organization and impact on the children of the Maine National Guard that I volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Our company works with many different nonprofits every year. Because of the sheer number of requests of support we receive, we must be very selective with whom we work. Operation Tribute rises to the top of all nonprofits because they make every effort to work as partners with private sector businesses. It has been a pleasure working with everyone at Operation Tribute.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have been a member of the Operation Tribute since before it was formed. I was the first person with whom Marc Badeau discussed the viability of the project. I have found great satisfaction working with Marc and the rest of the volunteers. I've done everyting from wrapping and sending presents to the children to soliciting major contributors. The final result of reading the thank you notes from the children and their parents makes it all worth while.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have witnessed firsthand the growth of this organization, as I've volunteered my time consulting to create various marketing and public relations strategies. I have seen this concept mushroom from an informal discussion at a local pub to a humanitarian powerhouse, whose goal is nothing less than providing smiles on the faces of children who have the difficult burden of having a loved one deployed or the possibility of having a loved one deployed in military service. The staff of Operation Tribute have made a huge difference in the lives of so many people, not least of which are the lives of the volunteers who spend their time wrapping gifts and playing a small part in the collective duty we all have as Americans to remember and help the families of those who are making the ultimate sacrifice.